Young people across Shropshire are learning life-changing workplace skills through supported internship programmes.
Derwen College marked National Supported Internship Day on March 27 by celebrating the impact of its scheme, which supports students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) into employment.
The college currently has 11 supported interns working across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin in placements tailored to their career goals.
Natalie Martin, supported internships co-ordinator at Derwen College, said: "Supported internships play a vital role in helping young people with an EHC plan move closer to paid employment.
"By working closely with employers, job coaches and families, we can provide structured, personalised support that enables interns to develop workplace skills, confidence and independence.
"National Supported Internship Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our interns and to thank the employers who work with us to create inclusive workplaces where young people can thrive."
A supported internship is a work-based study programme for 16- to 25-year-olds with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan.
Derwen’s interns receive support from experienced job coaches, who gradually reduce their involvement as the student grows in confidence.
Julie, a job coach at Derwen, said: "The best part about being a job coach is watching a student’s confidence grow.
"Seeing them go from strength to strength and become more independent as the weeks and terms go by is incredibly rewarding.
"Getting a job offer is the goal, and seeing how proud they are of what they have worked towards makes it all worthwhile."
Interns are gaining valuable experience across multiple sectors.
Anthony, who works at British Heart Foundation shop, Telford Community Grocery and Special Needs Activity Centre (SNAC), Telford, said: "My supported internship has helped me communicate better and follow workplace rules.
"It makes me feel happy and more confident.
"In the future, I would like to work at the British Heart Foundation."
Employers are also seeing the value of the programme for their teams.
Dan, from Community Grocery, said: "Having a supported intern brings personality and energy to our workplace.
"Supported interns are enriching to our team and have helped promote inclusion, diversity and equality across the business.
"Supported interns make our workplace brighter, and I would absolutely recommend supported internships to other employers."
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